You Ask, I Answer: Refried Beans

Why are refried beans bad?
-- Jamie Church

In essence, restaurant refried beans are mashed pinto beans mixed with several tablespoons of lard (chock full of artery-clogging and bad-cholesterol-raising saturated fat!).

The standard side dish of refried beans at a restaurant clocks in at 350 - 400 calories and provides 30% of your saturated fat and 35% of your daily sodium needs! You are better off getting a side of black beans on the side, or starting off with a black bean soup (minus the sour cream).

It is possible to make a healthier alternative of this dish at home with lower quantities of healthier oils, but at a restaurant all you are getting is an extra shot of calories and unhealthy fat.